| Summary: | Clinical psychologist Mark A. Whisman conducts a couples therapy session with a middle-age Caucasian married couple who recently took on guardianship of the 13-year-old daughter of the husband's recently deceased sister. The couple, who also have a 19-year-old biological daughter, present with frustration and guilt around their additional caregiving responsibilities and altered family structure. The person-environment fit of the new family member--who is described as developmentally delayed and socially anxious--within a family described as naturally more sociable and communicative presents the couple with unanticipated challenges. Dr. Whisman follows a cognitive behavioral approach with the couple to identify key concerns relevant to the changed family structure. Using cognitive restructuring, he assists each member of the couple in developing coping strategies for managing intense emotions and guilt in challenging caregiving situations.
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